Free Museums in London

Free London Museums

It is hardly surprising that the Capital contains both major world class museums and lesser-known and sometimes quirky or funky museums. See one of the world's finest collections of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, examine a 26-metre-long dinosaur, or find out what it was like to live in medieval London, or even get up close to a human torpedo! All of this and more is just waiting to be discovered:

Bank of England Museum

The charming Bank of England Museum traces the history of the bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694 to its role today as the country's central bank. There are gold bars, coins and banknotes, as well as many items you might not expect to find...

Guildhall

It was the centre of the city's local government for 800 years. The Great Hall was fully restored after the Great Fire and the Blitz. There are also monuments to amongst others Mayor William Beckford, Wellington, Nelson, and Churchill. Find Out More

Hampstead Museum/Burgh House

Find out about the history of Hampstead, including its 18th Century Spa and the area's many famous writers and artists such as Constable. This Queen Ann House contains the Helen Allingham Collection and is also a community arts centre. Find Out More

Hogarth's House

Hogarth was a celebrated artist and satirist whose work often mocked 18th century society. As the name suggests, Hogarth's House is where he lived before he died in 1764, and it's here that you'll find the most extensive collection of his prints on public display. Find Out More

Horniman Museum

The Horniman Museum is a family friendly museum with exhibits from around the world to delight adults and children alike. Find Out More

Hunterian Museum

Located in the Royal College of Surgeons, this medical museum is not for the faint of heart or stomach: skeletons, mummified heads, and organs in jars of fromeldehyde abound. Don't visit the Hunterian Museum immediately after lunch. Find Out More

Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum is unique in its coverage of conflicts, especially those involving Britain and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. It is proud to be regarded as one of the essential sights of London. Find Out More

Kenwood House

Perched on the edge of rolling Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House has stunning white stucco façades. Inside you'll find a collection of exquisite paintings by Rembrant, Vermeer, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough. Find Out More

The Library and Museum of Freemasonry

The Freemason's hall is a model of spectacular interior. The Library and Museum welcome a large collection of Masonic regalia and artefacts. Find Out More

Livesey Museum for Children

The Livesey Museum for Children aims to produce educational exhibits which encourage children to play and learn through looking, listening, touching and experimenting. Find Out More

Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green

The branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum has Toy collections, including dolls, dolls' houses, games and puppets of international range and importance. Also includes costumes and nursery antiques. Children's activities are held at weekends and holiday periods. Find Out More

Museum of Fulham Palace

Visit London's Best Kept Secret. The Museum tells the story of this nationally important site. Displays include archaeology, social history and garden history. Art Cart with activities for children Ring for details of current events. Find Out More

Museum of Garden History

Located in the 14th-century church of St Mary-at-Lambeth the Museum of Garden History aims to be the "first stop for garden enthusiasts". The garden contains the tomb of Admiral Bligh of Bounty fame. Find Out More

Museum of London

The Museum of London Group represents over a quarter of a million years of history and includes over a million items. Find Out More

National Army Museum

The history of the British army from 1415 to the end of the C 20th, includes fantastic display of military swords. At weekends, the National Army Museum galleries are brought to life by uniformed performers in role as soldiers from the past. Find Out More

National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory

The largest maritime museum in the world displays the history of Britain at sea. A huge collection - including unrivalled material on Nelson and Cook. Includes the 17th-century Queen's House and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Find Out More

Natural History Museum

Visit the UK's national museum of nature and a centre of scientific excellence. The Natural History Museum maintains and develops the collections and uses them to promote discovery, understanding, responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world. Find Out More

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

The Petrie Museum is one of the largest and most inspiring collections of Egyptian archaeology anywhere in the world, illustrating life in the Nile Valley from prehistory, through Pharaonic to Roman and Islamic times. The Collection also includes the world's earliest surviving dress (around 2,800BC), decorative art from Akhenaten's famous city at Amarna and one of the largest collections of life of Roman mummy. Find Out More

RAF Museum

Take to the skies on a free day out at the RAF Museum. There are over 80 aircraft on display, together with uniforms, weapons, photographs and more. Plus, there's a Battle of Britain sound and light show, a helipad, and even a Red Arrows flight simulator.

RIBA

The Royal Institute of British Architects houses the best architects' work in the city. It often presents work from internationally known architects.

The Royal Hospital at Chelsea

Visitors are able to see the Great Hall, Octagon and Chapel, walk around Figure, College and Light Horse Courts and visit the Museum and Shop. Guidebooks are available from the Shop. Conducted tours, for which a charge is made, with a Chelsea Pensioner guide, are also available.

Science Museum

The collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical change since the eighteenth century. Vigorous collecting keeps them up-to-date, and the Science Museum constantly strives to improve not only their condition and accessibility but also our understanding of their significance.

Sir John Soane's Museum

Sir John Soane was an architect and collector of curios. He amassed some remarkable antiquities from all four corners of the globe and these are now on display in the Sir John Soane's Museum ; a real insight into the life of this extraordinary Victorian.

The Brunel Museum

The Brunel Museum tells the dramatic story of the Thames Tunnel and the Great Eastern Steamship.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Visit the world's greatest museum of art and design with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. At the Victoria and Albert Museum discover over 3000 years' of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

Wallace Collection

Both a national museum and a prestigious private collection of art, the Wallace Collection features one of the world's best collections of French 18th-century pictures, porcelain and furniture, plus a fantastic array of 17th-century paintings.

The Wellcome Collection

The legacy of pharmaceutical entrepreneur Henry Solomon Wellcome was revealed at the end of June when a £30m cultural venue was opened at the former headquarters of the Wellcome Trust in Euston Road, London. Billed as "Medicine, life and art", it contains two permanent galleries ("Medicine man" and "Medicine now") and a temporary gallery, in addition to housing the Wellcome Library, Europe's largest resource for the study of the history of medicine.